---
id: CVE-2026-72072
title: >-
  kernel: net/mlx5e: macsec: fix use-after-free of metadata_dst on RX SC delete
  (CVE-2026-72072)
summary: >-
  A flaw was found in the Linux kernel's MACsec (Media Access Control Security)
  component. A race condition during the deletion of an offloaded MACsec RX
  Security Channel (SC) allows the RX datapath to access and operate on memory
  that has a…
severity: medium
cvss: 4.1
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'
cvssSource: vendor
cwe: CWE-416
vendor: Red Hat
product: Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 9)
affected:
  - enterprise_linux 10
  - enterprise_linux 6
  - enterprise_linux 9
  - enterprise_linux_appstream_v_9
  - enterprise_linux_baseos_v_9
  - enterprise_linux_codeready_linux_builder_v_9
  - enterprise_linux_real_time_for_nfv_v_9
  - enterprise_linux_real_time_v_9
patched:
  - enterprise_linux_appstream_v_9
  - enterprise_linux_baseos_v_9
  - enterprise_linux_codeready_linux_builder_v_9
  - enterprise_linux_real_time_for_nfv_v_9
  - enterprise_linux_real_time_v_9
published: '2026-08-15'
updated: '2026-10-26'
sourceUpdated: '2026-10-26T11:08:26+00:00'
source: CSAF
sourceUrl: 'https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-72072.json'
references:
  - url: >-
      https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-72072.json
  - url: 'https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-72072'
  - url: 'https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2516523'
  - url: 'https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72072'
  - url: 'https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72072'
  - url: 'https://kernelcve.org/list/?q=CVE-2026-72072'
  - url: >-
      https://lore.kernel.org/linux-cve-announce/2026081519-CVE-2026-72072-111b@gregkh/T
  - url: 'https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:70459'
  - url: 'https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b1a4d0c568bbb52c7c04f4fce3c097dae89ed6cb'
  - url: 'https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/218cc15a4c907659ad4b0e68c535c61594311205'
  - url: 'https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4a5073b7b30243658f58b2d2d35a823da7fd34d9'
  - url: 'https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ed3cc4218070d6b98bf5fb456dccae424fd38c4f'
  - url: 'https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/088873af13590ebde10de2ade847f57a05ec61c6'
  - url: 'https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/de74d8fd10291763d97b218f09adcc7513c975e4'
tags:
  - csaf
  - vex
  - red-hat
  - cve.org
  - score-dispute
epss: 0.00172
epssPercentile: 0.06525
ssvc:
  exploitation: none
  automatable: 'no'
  technicalImpact: total
  timestamp: '2026-10-16T15:51:23.230539Z'
scores:
  vendor: 4.1
  cna: 7.8
ingestedAt: '2026-10-16T17:24:46.876Z'
---

## Overview

A flaw was found in the Linux kernel's MACsec (Media Access Control Security) component. A race condition during the deletion of an offloaded MACsec RX Security Channel (SC) allows the RX datapath to access and operate on memory that has already been freed. This use-after-free vulnerability can lead to system instability or a denial of service.

## Vendor advisories

- **RHSA-2026:70459** · Red Hat · fixed in: Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9), Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 9), Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 9), Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV (v. 9), Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time (v. 9) · released 2026-09-23 · [advisory](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:70459)
- **Red Hat VEX** · Moderate · affected: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 · no fix planned: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 · updated 2026-10-26 · [vex](https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-72072.json)

**kernel: net/mlx5e: macsec: fix use-after-free of metadata_dst on RX SC delete** — rated Moderate by Red Hat. Released 2026-08-15, updated 2026-10-26.

Affected:

- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9

Fixed:

- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9)
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 9)
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 9)
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV (v. 9)
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time (v. 9)

No fix planned:

- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9

Not affected:

- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8

## Remediation

For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to:

https://access.redhat.com/articles/11258

The system must be rebooted for this update to take effect.

Red Hat recommends treating all kernel errata as security-relevant. Given the kernel's fundamental role, any bug has a higher chance of impacting system security, even if that impact only becomes clear after a fix is published. Therefore, Red Hat prioritizes delivering fixes that improve our customers' overall security posture.

Because of this proactive approach, a patch may be associa… https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:70459

Workarounds / mitigations:

- Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options don't meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base or stability.